Nebraska’s home for cinema
For decades, The Ross has been Nebraska’s home for independent, international, and documentary cinema. The Ross is a space where art and audience meet in conversation. We champion diverse voices, showcase films honoring innovative storytelling, and create a shared experience that connects Lincoln to independent filmmakers
A Legacy of Independent Film in Nebraska
1964-1981
Sheldon Film Theater
The Ross began as a University film program at the Sheldon Museum of Art in 1964, established by the Sheldon’s original director Norman A. Geske. This program later became the Sheldon Film Theater (housed in the museum) when Danny Lee Ladely became director in 1973.
1990
The Vision of Mary Riepma Ross
University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumna and lifelong arts advocate Mary Riepma Ross established a $3.5 million trust to build and endow a center for film within the University of Nebraska. Her vision became the foundation devoted to cinema as both artistic expression and community dialogue.
2001-2003
Building the Dream
Construction on the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center began in June 2001, bringing Mrs. Ross’s vision to life. By January 2003, the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center opened its doors, and it has become Lincoln’s venue for arthouse film, experimental films, and bold new narrative drama.
2013
A Legacy Sustained
After Mrs. Ross’s passing at age 102, her additional $9.5 million gift to the University secured the future of a theater dedicated to unique style, creativity, and cultural engagement.
Today
The Ross
Now known informally as “the Ross,” the center stands as a national model for university-based art cinemas. We present films made with conviction—genre films, global stories, and works shaped by artistic voice.
Our team
Laurie Richards
Programming Manager
Meghan Stratman
Office Manager & Advertising
Carla Tisdale
Administrative Associate
Phillip Malzer
Projection Booth Manager
James Wachtel
House Manager
Inside The Ross
The Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center shares its landmark building with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Van Brunt Visitors Center. Together, they form a space built for creativity, learning, and exchange.
Academic Spaces
The second floor is front and center to offices, classrooms, and editing suites for the Film and New Media program within the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. Through this program, students learn programming, projection, and preservation alongside professionals.
Theaters
Two state-of-the-art theaters anchor The Ross, featuring advanced projection, sound, and archival access. From silent-era classics to modern digital cinema, every screening meets the highest standards of exhibition.
These theatres screen a curated rotation of independent and international films seven days a week. Venues are ideal for documentary, experimental, and close-viewing experiences where nuance guides the moment.
Archive and Collections
The Ross archive preserves over 2,000 film prints, predominantly 16mm, including the UNL Film Studies Collection, the Jerry Jensen Cinema 16 Collection, the Foster/Dixon Collection, and donated reels from across Nebraska —safeguarding film’s history and evolution.
The Mary Riepma Ross Award
Named in tribute to the theater’s principal benefactor, the Mary Riepma Ross Award honors individuals whose roots or artistic vision are grounded in the Great Plains and whose work has enriched the art of cinema and the cultural life of Nebraska.
This honor celebrates individuals whose creative work or support has shaped cinematic expression and enriched Nebraska’s artistic life. Recipients often push the boundaries of independent film, arthouse work, and international cinema, reflecting the spirit of The Ross.
Past Honorees
- Mary Riepma Ross
- Sandy Dennis
- Joan Micklin Silver
- Peter Fonda
- James Coburn
- Alexander Payne
- Norman Geske
- John Beasley
- Michael Hill
- June Levine
- Lew Hunter
- Frank Blythe
- Danny Lee Ladely
- Judy and Hal Hoppe
- Lucy Buntain Comine
- Laurie Richards
- Betty Levitov
- H. Peter Reinkordt
The Mary Riepma Ross Award
Members-only Holiday Party
Programming Manager Laurie Richards at the Santa Fe International Film Festival
Geske Cinema Showcase Guests Paul Wagner and Ellen Casey Wagner (Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light) with Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird
Sponsors
